The BROOKLYN Medal

By Andrew Lipps

In keeping with a tradition from the Civil War, the Citizens of Brooklyn,
N.Y. wished to honor the Sailors and Marines who served aboard the U.S.S.
BROOKLYN, Commodore Schley's flagship and
one of the major combatants at the naval Battle
of Santiago. In order to do so they struck a fine heavy bronze medal
and presented them to the crew of the vessel.

The planchet of the medal features a detail of the ship under steam
and reads "U.S.S. BROOKLYN - SANTIAGO
DE CUBA. JULY 3, 1898". The reverse of the medal is headed
by the German motto "Ein Dracht Macht Maght" (roughly Might makes right)
and reads "IN COMMEMORATION OF THEIR HEROISM AT THE DESTRUCTION OF THE
SPANISH FLEET FROM THE CITIZENS OFBROOKLYN TO THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS".

The recipients of these medals had their names placed upon the top
bar. The medal shown here had the name named "CHAS. GILHOOLEY". Charles
Gilhooley's name appears on the roll of the U.S.S.
BROOKLYN as a Coal Passer and was also a recipient of the Navy's Sampson
Medal.

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